Internal combustion engine control



Oct. 27, 1964 c. L. BUBBENMOYER 3,154,689

INTERNAL. coNBusToN ENGINE CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1961 wml Ill

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OCL 27, 1954 c. L. BUBBENMOYER 3,154,689

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONTROL Filed Sept. 5, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 OIL- PRESSURE SWITCH IN V EN TOR.

Oct. 27, 1964 c. L.. BUBBENMOYER 3,154,689

INTERNAL. coNusTxoN ENGINE CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1961 United States Patent O 3,154,639 INTERNAL CMBUSIIN ENGINE CNIRL Clarence L. Bubbenmoyer, Isorane, Reading, Pa., assigner of forty-nine percent to Pandora 'Ieol and Die of Lorane, Lorane, Pa.

Filed Sept. 5, i961, Ser. No. 136,006 3 Claims. (Cl. 29o- 38) The aforesaid invention relates to a control to automatica-lly maintain optimum or normal temperatures of Water-cooled or air-cooled internal combustion engines, with special reference to the control in general of heavy equipment, be it gas, gas-diesel, with pony or warmup gas motor. It also relates to heavy equipment incorporating compression ignition diesel engines, such as welding generators, air compressors, tractors, graders, rollers, power shovels, bulldozers, buses, also trucks and automobiles that employ electrical systems for starting :and stopping same, be it magneto ignition, battery ignition, or compression ignition diesel engines.

An object of this invention is to provide means for causing an internal combustion engine to start and stop unattended, at a preset temperature, where the vehicle r equipment is stored or parked and is subjected to severe cold weather and the temperature in the engine drops below a preset level. It also provides means for the heat of combustion to maintain the engine at a preset temperature, and further provides means for stopping aforesaid internal combustion engine after reaching a preset temperature.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the battery ignition of an internal combustion engine; also the means for stopping the engine after it has reached a preset temperature.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the magneto ignition of an internal combustion engine; also the means for stopping the engine after reaching a preset temperature.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the throttle control lever or the shutoff fuel pressure switch, incorporated to provide means for the disablement of the engine of compression ignition diesel industrial engines, after reaching a preset temperature.

Another important object of this invention is to provide means, when applied, to the control of passenger automobiles or trucks, in the event that during normal operation (with automatic control switch in off position) the engine should stall. The starter will recrank same upon pushing neutral button on push button shift, or move selector lever to neutral on automatic shift, or release or disengage clutch on conventional shift. When the engine has started, the starter stops cranking automatically, thus eliminating pushing starter button to recnank engine and releasing the same after engine has started.

Another object of this invention is a safety factor, in the provision of means, for preventing the power plant of automotive vehicles from starting, if drivingly connected with the wheels of the vehicle; also a safety factor, in provision of means, to eliminate reaching for starter button to push to recrank engine after stalling, and release same after engine has started.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device to furnish automatic mechanism to the starting mechanism means, for cranking the engine to start same unattended at a preset temperature; also means for stopping the starting motor for a predetermined interval, should the Bendix gear drive and the flywheel ring gear fail to mesh the first time; also means to enable the device to perform more than one engine starting cycle. This is in operation at all times regardless of whether one is using manually operated ignition switch or if one is leaving vehicle or equipment parked with the automatic control switch in on position. This in turn eliminates the use of the conventional starter button entirely but the starter button can be left as is Without interfering with the present device.

Another object of this device is, by incorporating aforesaid automatic mechanism in engine starting systems, to eliminate the tremendous expansion and contraction of aforesaid engine, thus eliminating dry friction starts, for the engine will always be warm or heated. Metal being warm will induce capillary attraction, thus keeping la lm of oil suspended on the internal metal parts, in turn having non-friction starts.

Another object of this device is to furnish an automatic control, using a minimum of parts, that can be constructed in a simple manner and installed at a relatively small expense.

Another object of this device is to conserve fuel of heavy equipment by not operating the enfrine under its own power, after the cooling medium of the engine has been brought to a predetermined temperature, for easy starting.

Another object of this device is a circuit breaker overload switch in the control circuit to break the flow of current to the control circuit in the event the engine does not start in response to operation of starting motor, so as not to dissipate the energy of the usual storage battery.

It will be observed that with this control circuit the internal combustion engine will operate only when there is heat demand in the cooling luid according to the setting of the thermal responsive element, and will stop only when the responsive element has been satisfied.

It should be observed that the temperature responsive element be mounted in cooling iluid of engine within engine block; however, it is preferable to position the thermal responsive element in the head of the engine.

In air cooled engines thermal responsive element is positioned in oil reservoir or oil pan of engine.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous advantages will be understood from the foregoing descriptions and from the forms here submitted for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 are schematic drawings of auto matic control systems, embodying the present invention.

FIGURE l is a schematic drawing of an automatic control system for engines incorporating battery ignition, embodying the present invention which will enable the apparatus to perform more than one engine starting cycle before becoming disabled.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic drawing for automatic control system for engines incorporating magneto ignition, embodying the present invention which will enable the apparatus to perform more than one engine starting cycle before becoming disabled.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic drawing of automatic control system for industrial equipment incorporating compression ignition diesel engines, embodying the present invention, which will enable the apparatus to perform more than one engine starting cycle before becoming disabled.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic drawing of a control circuit showing a component part of present invention, wherein the invention with modiications can be applied to the control of equipment incorporating a clutch to disengage or release for preventing the power plant of equipment from starting, if drivingly connected with the rear wheels or load.

Experience shows that internal combustion engines will normally start in response to cranking effort continued over a period of eleven to thirteen seconds providing engine is warm and it is in startable condition.

Experience shows also that if the Bendix gear drive fails to mesh with the flywheel ring gear the iirst time, it will take a delay of seven to nine seconds for starting rnotor to stop in order to repeat cranking eiiort again. However, with my invention it is to be remembered, should the aforementioned engine starter mechanism include a fork and solenoid to engage gear drive, cranking eiort can be repeated without a specied time delay.

FIGURE 1 drawing illustrates electrical equipment that may be applied to automatically control the starting and stopping of internal combustion engines independently of the conventional starter switch and ignition switch.

It will be seen that the present control circuit comprises an actuating circuit breaker overload switch 9 and on and o single pole toggle switch 10 connected in series through conductor 11 with a source of electrical power 51. Switch 8 is connected in series with the source of power, on vehicles equipped with operating `shift lever to place transmission in its neutral setting and close switch 8, for automatic starting. A temperature responsive single pole single throw switch 12, contacts 101 and 103 of switch 12 are adapted to condition the system for automatic starting. The said contacts 101 and 103 of said temperature responsive switch 12 are adapted to be closed when the cooling tluid in the engine is below a predetermined temperature around 100 F. and to open when the cooling uid is Vabove a predetermined temperature around 120 F. Input contact 101 is connected through conductor 13 with said circuit breaker overload switch 9. Output contact 103 of temperature responsive switch 12 is connected with ignition terminal 55 through conductor 15; conductor 15 is further connected through the conductor 17 to contact 14 of normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch 18, co-ntacts 14 and 16 of oil pressure switch 18 when closed energize the small direct current motor 24 through conductor 19 and ground conductor 25. The motor 24 drives cam 30 to open and close a. pair of actuator contacts 20 and 22. Said switch 18 is connected through conductor 19 to contact 20; contact 22 is connected through conductor 21 to solenoid switch output terminal 53; conductor 19 is further connected through conductor 23 to contact 20. The speed of motor driven shaft and width of cam rises are adjusted so that contacts 20 and 22 are closed for approximately iifteen seconds and remain open for approximately fifteen seconds, direct current motor speed preferably adjusted to one revolution per minute. A conventional timing motor similar to Patent No. 2,513,410, assigned to Rayden Company, can be used.

Thus the motor orl principal actuating mechanism means 24, and cam and contacts 20 and 22 of the present invention, open and close the starting-motor circuit through energization and deenergization of the solenoid.

It is desirable to provide means for breaking the current llow to the mechanism 24 as soon as the engine starts in operation, to discontinue operation of the starting motor, however, without interrupting current ow to the ignition 55 through conductor 15. Y

To this end a normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch 13 is interposed in series with conductors 17 and 19. Oil pressure inlet 28 is connected to the oil pressure gauge line or oil filter inlet of engine lubricating system. As soon as the engine has been started there is suflicient oil pressure to open normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch and thereby de-energize conductor 19, interrupting current flow to indexing mechanism means 24, whereby disabling starting motor. Should the engine fail to start throughout the predetermined starting intervals, the oil pressure 10# brake switch 1S will remain closed. There is connected in series with the oil pressure 10# brake switch 18 a sixty second short circuiting time delay relay 128. If the starter does not succeed in starting the engine the said short circuiting time delay relay 128 will short circuit the circuit breaker overload switch 9, being connected in series with source of electrical power 51, through conductor 113, thus it will disable the control system. Hence circuit breaker overload switch 9 will be in o or open position, so as not to dissipate the energy of the usual storage battery. Adjustable thermal delay relay D T. Series units manufactured by Elgin National Watch Company are applicable and preferable, for short circuiting time delay relay 12S.

FGURE 2 drawing illustrates electrical equipment that may be applied to automatically control the starting and stopping of internal combustion engines, independently of the conventional starter switch and the magneto grounding switch, incorporated to stop said engine.

It will be seen that the present control circuit comprises an actuating circuit breaker overload switch 9 which is connected in series through conductor 11, and on and o switch 10 with a source of electrical power 51. A temperature responsive switch 32 includes contacts 105 and 107 which are adapted to condition the system for automatic starting. Said contacts 105 and 107 are adapted to be closed when the cooling iluid in the engine is below a predetermined temperature around F., and to open when the cooling iiuid in engine is above a predetermined temperature around 120 F. When contacts and 107 are closed for automatic starting, current flows from source of electrical power 51, through conductor 11 to circuit breaker overload switch 9, through conductor 113 to input contact 105 to output contact 107 through conductor 15 to contact 14 of normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch 18, to contact 16 of said switch 18 which is connected vthrough conductor 19 to contact 20 of indexing actuating mechanism means 24, to contact 22 of said actuating means 24 which is connected through conductor 21 to solenoid switch output terminal 53. Conductor 19 is further connected through conductor 23 to indexing rotating mechanism 24 which is connected to ground through conductor 25 thus energizing indexing mechanism 24.

Whereby the principal actuating mechanism means, of present invention, opens and closes the starting motor circuit by energizing and deenergizing the solenoid.

It is desirable to provide means for breaking the current iiow to the indexing mechanism 24 as soon as the engine starts in operation, to discontinue operation of the starting motor.

To this end, a normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch 18, is interposed in the conductor 19. Oil pressure inlet 28 is connected to the oil pressure gauge line, or oil filter inlet or engine lubricating system. As soon as the engine having been started there is sufficient oil pressure to open normally closed oil pressure 10# brake switch 1S, and thereby de-energize conductor 19, interrupting current tlow to indexing mechanism means 24, whereby disabling starting motor. Should the engine fail to start throughout the predetermined starting intervals, the oil pressure l0# brake switch 18'will remain closed. There is connected in series with the oil pressure 10# switch 18, a sixty second short circuiting time delay 128. If the starter does not succeed in starting the engine the said short circuiting time delay relay 128 will short circuit the circuit breaker overload switch 9, being Vconnected in serieswith source of electrical power 51 through conductor 113 it will disable the control system. Hence circuit breaker overload switch 9 will be in 011 or open position so as not to dissipate the energy of the usual storage battery.

It is desirable to stop operation of internal combustion engines, incorporating magnet ignition, after said engine has reached a predetermined temperature.

To this end, contacts 109 and 111 of temperature responsive switch 30 are adapted to be closed when cooling lluid in said engine is above a predetermined temperature around 120 F. to ground magneto 57 through conductor 27 and 29, and grounding switch terminal 57. Contacts 109 and 111 are also adapted to open around 110 F. or before said contacts 105 and 107 are closed again for automatic starting.

FIGURE 3 drawing illustrates electrical equipment that may be applied to automatically control the starting and stopping of diesel internal combustion engines, incorporating compression ignition, independently of the conventional starter switch.

It will be seen that the present control circuit comprises an actuating circuit breaker overload switch 9 which is connected in series through conductor 11 and on and of switch 10 with a source of electrical power 51. A temperature responsive switch 32 includes contacts 105 and 107 which are adapted to condition the system for automatic starting, said contacts 105 and 107 being adapted to be closed when the cooling iluid in the engine is below a predetermined temperature around 100 F. and to open when the cooling fluid in engine is above a predetermined temperature around 105 F. When contacts 105 and 107 are closed for automatic starting current flows from source of electrical power 51, through conductor 11 to circuit breaker overload switch 9, through conductor 113 to input contact 105 to output contact 107 through conductor 15 to contact 115 of normally closed oil pressure 15 brake switch 110, to contact 117 of said switch 110 which is connected through conductor 19 to contact of indexing actuating mechanism means 24, to contact 22 of said actuating means 24 which is connected through conductor 21 to solenoids switch input terminal 53 conductor 19 which is further connected through conductor 23 to indexing rotating mechanism 24 which is connected to ground through conductor 25 thus energizing indexing mechanism 24.

Whereby the principal actuating mechanism means of present invention opens and closes the starting-motor circuit through energization and deenergization of the solenoid.

If the starter does not succeed in starting the engine the short circuiting time delay relay 128 will short circuit the circuit breaker overload switch 9, being connected in series with source of electrical power 51 through conductor 113 thus disabling the control.

It is desirable to stop operation of diesel internal combustion engine, incorporating compression ignition, after said engine has reached a predetermined temperature.

To this end, contacts 109 and 111 of temperature switch 30, are adapted to be closed when cooling fluid in said engine is above a predetermined temperature around 114 F. for the delivery of energizing power to solenoid coil 50 through conductors 129 and 131 and contacts 34 of normally open oil pressure switch 52. The coil 50 when energized is adapted to shift associated armature element 54, which is drivingly connected with the engine throttle control lever 56 to move throttle member 56 to a closed stop position. Overcentering spring 58 is connected to the throttle control lever 56, whereby to yieldingly urge it in the opposite direction to a on or open position. After engine has stopped and said oil pressure switch 52 is in its normally open position, thus de-energizing solenoid coil 50 whereby engine fuel supply is provided for the next automatic starting cycle. Contacts 109and 111 are adapted to be open when cooling fluid is around 110 F. or before contacts 105 and 107 close for automatic starting. Oil pressure inlets 60 and $3 of oil pressure switches 52 and 90 are connected to oil line or engine lubricating system.

FIGURE 4 drawing illustrates electrical equipment that may be applied to control the starting of engine with a clutch operating mechanism between the engine and the transmission. With my invention, the operation of establishing the transmission in neutral and operating starter switch is unnecessary, releasing or disengage same will energize the solenoid for restarting of engine after the same has stopped or stalled. Referring to the drawing for a description of my invention, a normally open switch 100 which is closed when the clutch is disengaged is electrically connected in series with conductor 19 and conductor 171 shown in dotted lines for convenience of illustration. A double pole on and off throw switch 175 is incorporated to close conductor 19 if engine is unattended and set on automatic control.

It is to be understoodd, however, that the present invention may be applied to compression ignition diesel engines having different stopping systems, such as those that embody -an air inlet shutdown lever. Experience shows that it is desirable if not essential to provide means to inent the cranking effort for a period of seven seconds, so as to stop Bendix or inertia gear drive if the flywheel ring gear and Bendix gear fail to mesh the firs-t time.

lt will be seen from the foregoing that the indexing mechanism means 24 will perform this essential operation.

A red jeweled pilot light may be interconnected between the automatic control circuit conductor 113 and ground through conductor 131 in order to provide a warning that the automatic control circuit is connected for operation.

It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be applied to motor vehicles having starter systems that employ a normally open suction operated s-witch said switch controlled by suction in the intake manifold. The present invention when applied to motor vehicles having air conditioning systems, so as to render the passenger compartment comfortable for occupants at all times automatically, contacts 101 and 103 of temperature responsive switch 12 are adapted to be open at the normal running tempenature of the engine around F. yand to close for automatic starting around 157 F. or by substituting said switch 12 with a thermostat switch positioned in passenger compartment, the motor will operate only according to setting of the passenger compartment thermostat.

I claim:

l. In an automatic control circuit for an internal-combustion engine having electrical motor-starting means including a starter motor, and la solenoid switch connected to energize and deenergize the starter motor, the combination comprising a temperature-responsive switch arranged to open and close upon predetermined upper and lower limits of engine temperature, ya source of electrical power connected to `one side of said temperature-responsive switch, a normally closed engine-oil-pressure-responsive switch adapted to open upon rise to normal oper-ating oil pressure and connected in series with said temperatureresponsive switch and source, normally open actuator contracts connected to said solenoid switch and in series with said temperature-responsive and oil-pressure switches to energize the starter motor upon simultaneous closing of said contacts and switches, an electrically operated actuator mechanism connected in series with said temperature-responsive and oil-pressure switches and operatively connected to said contacts to repeatedly open and close the latter, a circuit-breaker overload switch connected in series with said temperature-responsive and oilpressure switches, and a short-circuiting time-delay relay connected across said temperature-responsive yand oilpressure switches.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, said actuator mechanism including cam means for successively closing 7 8 and opening said actuator contacts with the contacts open above the lower limit of said iirst-mentioned tempenaturea sucient period of time to enable the starter motor to responsive switch. stop before the contacts are again closed.

3. The combination according to claim 1 for an in- References Cited in 'the file 0f this Patent termal-combustion engine having 'a magneto ignition, in 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS combination with a second temperature-responsive switch connected to said magneto, said second te1nperature-re 2580820 Nardone Jan' 1 1952 sponsive switch being responsive to lan upper limit to` dis- FOREIGN PATENTS able said magneto and stop the engine, and responsive to 392,309 Great Britain May 18, 1933 a lower limit to enable the magneto at a temperature 10 

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING ELECTRICAL MOTOR-STARTING MEANS INCLUDING A STARTER MOTOR, AND A SOLENOID SWITCH CONNECTED TO ENERGIZE AND DEENERGIZE THE STARTER MOTOR, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE SWITCH ARRANGED TO OPEN AND CLOSE UPON PREDETERMINED UPPER AND LOWER LIMITS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE, A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL POWER CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE SWITCH, A NORMALLY CLOSED ENGINE-OIL-PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE SWITCH ADAPTED TO OPEN UPON RISE TO NORMAL OPERATING OIL PRESSURE AND CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAID TEMPERATURERESPONSIVE SWITCH AND SOURCE, NORMALLY OPEN ACTUATOR CONTACTS CONNECTED TO SAID SOLENOID SWITCH AND IN SERIES WITH SAID TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE AND OIL-PRESSURE SWITCHES TO ENERGIZE THE STARTER MOTOR UPON SIMULTANEOUS CLOSING OF SAID CONTACTS AND SWITCHES, AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ACTUATOR MECHANISM CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAID TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE AND OIL-PRESSURE SWITCHES AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACTS TO REPEATEDLY OPEN AND CLOSE THE LATTER, A CIRCUIT-BREAKER OVERLOAD SWITCH CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAID TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE AND OILPRESSURE SWITCHES, AND A SHORT-CIRCUITING TIME-DELAY RELAY CONNECTED ACROSS SAID TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE AND OILPRESSURE SWITCHES. 